August 25, 2025

Use of Would in Grammar

Would in Grammar

‘Would’ meaning in English is used in various ways. Let’s see some usages:

Rule 1:

‘Would in Grammar’ is used in the present and future for polite requests:

Would you help me in this matter?

Would you do me a favour, please?

Would you mind shifting a bit, please?

Would you mind closing the door, please?

Note: ‘could’ is also used for polite requests.

Rule 2 (Would in Grammar):

In the future, to show the feeling of excitement and happiness:

I would go home after a long time.

It’s very hot. I would take a bath.

It’s very cold today. I would take tea.

I am so tired. I would sleep now.

Rule 3:

It shows past habits(Would in Grammar):

I would/used to play marbles in childhood.

I would/used to read a novel before sleeping every day.

I would/used to take tea. But now I take coffee.

She would/used to eat cotton candies in childhood.

She wouldn’t use to go to the temple during school days. But now she goes every day.

 Rule 4 (Would in Grammar)

‘Would’ is Used as the past form of will. It means the future in the past when reporting what somebody has said or expressed.

He told me that she will there the next day.  

(would in the place of will)

 She told him that he will join Army. (would in place of will)

My teacher told me that the principal will not tolerate it anymore. (‘Would’ in the place of will)

 Rule 5 (Would in Grammar).

Present unlikely or regret, and wish (you regret in the present for something that is not in your hand that time we use:

If + subject + verb II, Subject + would + main verb + object.

Examples: If I had a bike, I would gift it to you.

If she went yesterday, he would come to meet me.

If he got selected for a government job, he would get married.

If Radhika took admission to a college, she would get the highest marks in the class.

Rule 6:Would in Grammar

Would that, I wish, I would and If only” are the expression which is used to share regret or dissatisfaction with the present: 

Would that I were a minister! (present condition)

Would that he had worked there! (past situation)

She wishes she had money now. (present condition)

I wish I had had a car then. (past condition)

If only I had joined this centre last month.

‘Would’ is used when the subjects of both sentences are different. E.g.

I wish he would get selected for a bank job.

Rule 7.

The supposition in present condition:

If I were the director of this company, I would kick him out.

If I were an eagle, I would fly in the sky without a fear.

If she were the landlady, she wouldn’t tolerate our foul language in the room.

If Katherine were an actress, she would play a role very well.

Exercise I(Would in Grammar): 

Find the suitable verb (Would) and fill in the blanks:

  1. ………. you mind……….. (move) a bit?
  2. Would that I………. an actor!
  3. Would that she………. (get) a job in Google!
  4. If Rohit………. (study), he wouldn’t fail in the class.
  5. She told him that he……….. join the navy. (future)
  6. I…………. take chocolate. But now I don’t eat it. (past habit)
  7. It’s a very hot day. I……….. take a beer. (future)
  8. ……… you make me understand this equation please? (polite request)
  9. If I had money, I……….. donate for the helpless people.

10. She wishes she………. Smartphone now. (present condition)

11. I wish I……….. money then. (past condition)

12. If I were a government teacher, I……… earn a handsome salary.

See other modals list, you may like it:

Could have (Modal Verb) – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

May have/Might have & Must have: Modals – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Used to (Modal Verb) – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

The Semi-Modal Verb Need – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Should vs. ought to vs. must -Modal verbs – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Use Of Have to & Had to – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs) – Use of Auxiliary Verbs – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Could (Modal Verb) – Use of Could – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

The Verb ‘To Be’- is/are/am/was/were/been – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Modals with ‘have’- Possession – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Use of Would in Grammar Read More

Modals with ‘have’- Possession

Modals with ‘have’

Modals with ‘have’ means Possess something or belonging to one.

Present, past, and future modals with ‘have’ verbs:

Subject + modal verb + have + objects

Subject + modal verb + to have + objects

See the structure of Modals with ‘have’:

Subject + could have/might have/should have/ must have/would have + had + objects

See the following sentences below regarding modals with ‘have’

I may have a Ferrari car. We ought to have faith in our prime minister.
She might have an Iphone. You must not have an attitude.  
He can have this villa. I want that I would have a beautiful wife.
I could have a snake. We have to have malaria medicine in corona condition.
You shouldn’t have arrogant. She has to have a pen with her.
He had to have a heavy bag.  (Past sentence but after “to + have”) She will have to have trust in you in this condition.
She is to have one pistol with her. If I had a car, I would go with you on a long drive.
He was to have a sword. She needs to have a Smart Phone.
She needed to have a Smart Phone with her. She needs to have a dog for security purposes.
You shouldn’t have sold all your flats. You were to have one of them. She will need to have an Aadhar card with her if she goes for an interview
She dares to have a lion at her farmhouse Or she dare have a lion at her farmhouse I forgot; otherwise, I could have had my android application for earning money. However, my friend stole my idea.  
Did you see my wallet? I did not, but his brother might have had your wallet. I used to have painkillers at home.  

 

Exercise:

Spot the errors of modals with ‘have’ and correct them. If sentences are correct, write ‘no error’

  1. He needed to had a laptop.
  2. I may have not a BMW car.
  3. She mightn’t have this kind of notebook.
  4. He can to have this watch.
  5. I could have a flat.
  6. You should not have got snobbish.
  7. We ought have faith in God.
  8. You must not have laziness.
  9. I want that I would handsome kid.
  10. We have to had extra petrol.
  11. She have to have two mobile phones with her.
  12. He had to had a massive bag because he used to go on a world tour. 
  13. She need had some books.
  14. She dares have white rats at home.
  15. I used to milk every time at home.
  16. If I had money, I would have had that jacket.
  17. If I had had time to buy a novel, I would give it.
  18. I missed it; I should have this white horse.
  19. He told that his friend might have your wallet.
  20. I did not know otherwise; I could have have my phone with me.
Modals with ‘have’- Possession Read More

Could have -Modal Verb

Could have -Modal Verb

I. Could have –Modal Verb  denotes past situations to express something that was or wasn’t possible in the past.

Sub + could have + m.v.3+ object, etc.

You could have gone there. You had time.

She could have told me it yesterday.

He could have stayed at my relative’s home. But he booked a room in a hotel to stay a single night.

Katherine couldn’t have known the murder. He had not been told yet.

She could have bought that car. It looked great.

Liza could have gone to any country he wanted to

II. We use Could have -Modal VerbWhen we are capable of doing something, but we didn’t complete what was expected to do.

He could have got a job, but he didn’t go to Mumbai.

She could have got a job in defence, but she didn’t apply for it.

She could have passed the examination, but she didn’t study harder. 

Rajasthan Royals could have won the match, but they didn’t try hard in fielding.

She could have been selected for the government job, but she didn’t prepare for it.

He could have bought a new mobile, but he borrowed a mobile from his brother-in-law.

Why didn’t you tell me about your party? I could have provided you with my car to go to the party.

Rahul could have participated in the quiz competition, but he took his name back from the list.

He could have got good marks in the twelfth standard, but he didn’t study this year.

He could have dropped her sister at her examination centre, but he went to a friends’ party.

She could have got married to Arjun. But she broke up with him last year.

We could have left the theatre earlier.But we ate inside the theatre.

You could have gone to market, but you went to bed early.

III. There is a big difference between could and could have -Modal Verb; could shows ability in past but could have mainly is used to denote past possibility.

He could run fast before the marriage.

He could have run fast if he did not meet with an accident.

The man was shouting a lot because he couldn’t find his child at the fair.

The man who lost his child in the fair could have found him, but he only shouted.  (he didn’t find him)

IV. ‘Could have’ is also used for speculation of things that didn’t happen or take place.

Are you absent-minded? You could have hit your bike with the lorry.

Are you crazy, man? You could have crashed the car.

Have you gone crazy? You could have died if you had taken the poison.

Look there, crazy man; you could have crashed into the door.

V. Could have + past participle (m.v3) denote probability means we make a guess that happened in the past. But we are not confirmed what we are talking about is true or not. We have our own opinion on what happened over there.

Why has Pankaj not come yet?

He could have got stuck in the middle with clients.

He could have forgotten the schedule of the meeting.

He could have got late in getting ready.

He could have gone to bed late and got up late.

He could have attended the other meeting today.

He could have dropped his son at school?

 

VI. We can also use might have + action III form, which has the same meaning:

He might have got stuck in the middle with clients.

He might have forgotten the schedule of the meeting.

He might have got late in getting ready.

He might have gone to bed late and got up late.

He might have attended the other meeting today.

He might have dropped his son at school?

VII. Could not have/couldn’t have is used to denote something that was not possible in the past:

They could not have been at the office because I was with them in the pub at 6 in the evening.

My client couldn’t have told the truth because he was making you a fool at that time.

VIII. Doer had the wish to complete the action but didn’t complete the action in the past. 

    If + past perfect tense, subject + could have + action III + object + etc.

If I had gone before lockdown in Jaipur, I could have reached home.

If she had known him, she couldn’t have been bankrupt.

If they had got a job on time, their fathers couldn’t have done labour jobs.

If I had studied in my college day, I could have got the campus placement.

IX. Possession of something possibly in the past but We didn’t have.

I could have a Ferrari car in the previous month.

She could have a villa before marriage.

They could have their company two years before.

My father could have depression last year.

I could have a government job those days.

 

X. Use Could have -Modal Verb When Past compulsion, but the action didn’t take place:

He could have to go to jail.

She could have to pay the fine.

They could have to be beaten.

Exercise: 

Choose the suitable auxiliary verbs–can, could, could have – Modal Verb

  1. My friend………. (buy) that house, but he chose the expensive one.
  2. He………. (run) fast in his young age.
  3. Your brother…………. (save), The villagers had time.
  4. I……….. a book store last year.
  5. I……… (solve) this sum in 2nd standard.
  6. He………. (beat) in my childhood.
  7. My elder brother…………. (come) to see my dance competition. He had a holiday.
  8. If I had told him the truth, she……… left his friend.
  9. Dushyant Som………. known the name but none of his friends told him.

10. Angel……………. loan, but he had all the documents.

11. She………. to go to the hospital yesterday. 

12. He………. An MLA ticket if he had desired to buy it.

13. I………. a big home if I want it.

14. Where is your friend now? I really don’t know. He………… gone to his relative party.

15. Look there, crazy man; you………….. crashed to the door.

Could have -Modal Verb Read More

May have/Might have and Must have: Modals

May have/Might have and Must have

Modals: “May have/might have and Must have” are used to express the possibility or chances of work being done in the past.

Might have–20 to 40% guess of something means chances were less to complete the task. “Might have” used for a complete guess or speculation for the past situation.

May have–50 to 60% chances of doing work. It shows more chances to complete the job.

Must have ­-
 It makes sure that action takes place with strong affirmation. It is sure that action definitely happened.

Structure for May have/Might have and Must have

Subject + may have/might have/ Must have + action III + object

We think it’s probably that action happened, but we don’t know. It means it was possibly done.

  For examples:

Did you see him stealing my keys? No, I didn’t. He may have stolen my keys. Did you drive him to the railway station? Yes, I did. He may have reached Kanpur.
He might have gone home. (It’s less possible that he went home). He studied with me. He may have got a job.
He told me a lie; he might have hidden the truth. He revealed the secret of the company; he may have been paid money by another party.
She broke up with me. She may have connected with another guy. He liked my golden watch; he might have stolen it in my absence.
She went to the cinema; she may have watched the movie with John. The result was declared. He didn’t tell me. He may not have got good marks in the exams.
He may have left him alone on the way due to his rude behaviour. She might have left him in a lurch. (rare chance to leave him alone). He may have fought with Radhika due to her other extramarital affairs.
He left India. He might have been settled abroad. He might have come to attend the meeting there.
He may have reached Hyderabad for the next assignment till now. I have to go right now. She may have cooked food.
She didn’t attend the class yesterday, so her teacher may have scolded her. Gagan Sahrawat might have completed his post-graduation by now.
His friend might have retaliated with his enemy till now. Prabhat Ujjwal might have confided his partner from his business plans.
He knew the fact. Therefore, he may have assured Panchayat. He is going to attend the party that’s why he might have refused to come here.
The mother didn’t take her son’s money. Therefore, he might have gotten angry or got offended. Gagan was doing before two years post-graduation. He must have completed it.
Gaurav Maheshwari, who is my friend, was learning Spanish previously. He was in the course’s mid. He is very brilliant. He must have learned Spanish. He might have gone to the concert. (It is possible that he has gone to a concert, but it is also possible that he has gone somewhere else.)

 

“May have to and might have to” are used to express compulsion/obligation.

Sub + may have to/might have to + m.v.3 + obj.

He might have to change his location. They might have to go to Chennai for other business plans.
She may have to shift from here. Leave the office now. We may have to get ready soon for the party.

Must have

It is used to denote opinions based on known facts. It expresses past situations.

He met me on the way. He must have reached there.   He was brilliant. He must have solved the puzzle. I saw you there. You must have met him yesterday.  
Rohtash Chauhan, who is my teacher, was running his institute of English. He was thinking of opening a new centre as well. He discussed and offered me a job before the opening. But I moved to Jaipur. I think he must have opened the English spoken institute.  She was pleased. She must have been selected for a job.  

Click here to see the examples of Passive sentences of May have/Might have and Must have

Passive Voice of Modals – English Grammar (grammarsolution.com)

Exercise Of Modal Verbs (May have/Might have and Must have):

Choose suitable options.

I don’t have much knowledge about him. He ……….

a. Must have shifted to somewhere else’s.

b. Might shift to somewhere else’s

c. Might have shifted to somewhere else’s

2. He is not very intelligent. I think he ……. got selected in government by paying a bribe.

a. must have 

b. might have

c. might

3. My wallet isn’t in my pocket. It …….. been left in the train.

a. may

b. must have

c. might have

4. Did you see him playing football there? I didn’t see him but my brother who plays with him. He ………. Seen him playing.

a. may have

b. might

c. must

d. may

5.  The thief entered the house. Mr Morari woke up. He ………. Heard a crunch (sound).

a. must have

b. might have

c.  may

d. might

6. He has got selected in IIT. He ……….. studied a lot.

a. might have

b. may have

c. must have

d. might

7. He had got cold. It was raining heavily last night. I saw him going outside. He ………. wetted in the rain.

a. may have

b. must have

c. may be

d. might have

8.  Hearing a sound, He entered the room, and He speculated that she ………….committed suicide.

a. must have

b. may have

c. might have

d. might

9. My brother guessed that I ……….. stolen his wallet.

 a. must have

b. might have

c. may have

d. must

10. He became an IPS officer. He ………. Kept distance with social media websites.

a. must have

b. may have

c. might have

d. may

May have/Might have and Must have: Modals Read More

Used to (Modal Verb)

Used to Modal Verb

It is a marginal modal verb.

It denotes a past habit that is no longer now.

Used to (Semi-Modal Verb) – Sub + used to + verb + object.

I used to play tips and cat in school days. She used to take coke. But now she takes juice.
He used to play hopscotch in childhood. He used to live in Jaipur. But now he lives in Muzaffarnagar.
She used to go to the temple every day. I used to write a diary.
I used to play boxing. But I quitted because of an injury. I didn’t use to tell a lie, but now I do.
They used to cook food before getting married. I have never done it before.
I used to play cards but no longer now. Do you still play cards? I still play cards, but my friend doesn’t play cards anymore.

Negative sentences: (Used to (Modal Verb)

Subject + didn’t + use to + m.v. + object.

I didn’t use to get up early in the morning. She didn’t use to take milk.
He didn’t use to take liquor.   I didn’t use to ride a bicycle.

 

Interrogative type I:

Did + subject + use to + verb + object?

Did you use to play badminton in high school? No, I didn’t use to play badminton in high school. But my best friend who used to play a lot. Did your father use to do gardening? He used to do gardening, but these days he is sick.  
Did your brother use to take drugs? He used to take drugs but no longer now. Did you use to play peekaboo? No, I didn’t use to play Peekaboo.  
Did she use to eat cotton candies? Yes, she used to eat cotton candies. But no longer now. Did your father use to take tobacco? No, he didn’t use to take tobacco.

Interrogative type II:

Did + subject + not + use to + verb + object?

Did she not use to swim? She didn’t use to swim. Now she has learnt how to swim. And she goes swimming. Did he not use to play kabaddi? He didn’t use to play kabaddi. But now he goes to the gym and does running. And he has participated in the Kabaddi team. 

                      OR

Didn’t + subject + use to + verb + object?

Didn’t he use to take liquor? Didn’t he use to smoke?

Wh words:

Wh words + didn’t + subject + use to + verb + object ?

                        OR

Wh words + did + subject + not + use to + verb + object?

What did you use to do after lunch when you were a kid? Why didn’t you use to take non-veg in childhood?
Where did you use to go on summer vacation? Where did you use to play billiards?  

Note: ‘Would’ is also used in the place of used to. But 

‘Used to’ has more usage than ‘would’.

 

Used to have

It is used when a person had a habit of having something in the past.

I used to have painkiller pills nearby my bed. She used to have two mobile phones with her.

Exercise of Used to (Modal Verbs):

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb

Examples:  

   She used to write to her friends.

  1. Did you ….. play marbles?
  2. I …….. play hide and seek.
  3. She ….. play blind man’s bull.
  4. They didn’t ……. Play ducks and drakes.
  5. Why …….. he use to play cops and robbers with your friends?
  6. Why did he not …….. study in wee hours with you?
  7. Where …… you…… see bioscope cinema?
  8. He didn’t …… play hide and seek with his friends in childhood.      
  9. …. She ….. to walk in the morning every day.

10. What …… you…..to do after lunch when you were a kid?

Used to (Modal Verb) Read More

The Semi-Modal Verb Need

The Semi-Modal Verb Need

It conveys an absence of necessity or obligation, and it is followed by a bare infinitive as a modal verb.

Need is a semi-modal verb. It is used in two ways as a modal verb and an action verb (main verb).

  1. Need is used as a modal verb:

Sub + need + action + obj.

You need go there.

She need take a rest now.

He need prepare his topic.

Needn’t /need not is used in no obligation or not essential to do something (The Semi-Modal Verb Need).

She needn’t go there. (Modal verb)

You needn’t fight with your neighbours.

She needn’t go alone over there.

She need not shift her house.

There are different words to indicate no obligation to do something—for example, no one, nobody, nothing. Need is used without ‘not’ when the above negative words are taken.

No one need tell a lie to him. I will handle the situation.

Nobody need express anything.

Interrogative sentence (The Semi-Modal Verb Need):

Need + Sub + action + obj?

Need you take a shower?

Need he learn the guitar?

Need they sell their property?

Need I take medicine thrice a day?

Past:

 ‘Need not have’ is used as a modal verb that denotes past. Or we can say it is used to convey an action that was not required but was done.

He need not have gone there.

I Need not have worked in school last year.

 

  • Need is also used as an ordinary verb/action. For examples:

You need to get ready soon.

He needs to win the match. Otherwise, he may lose his money in games of snooker.

You don’t need to go with him.

He doesn’t need to ask her.

Employees don’t need to tell a lie.

Does he need to teach kids?

Does he not need to leave his job? Or doesn’t he need to leave his job?

Do you need to carry the luggage?

Don’t you need to make a speech for the conference?

Note: ‘s’ is not used with need as a modal verb.

Exercise (The Semi-Modal Verb Need):

  1. Her hair is looking dirty. she ……. to wash. ( needs, need)
  2. Her bicycle is not helping in riding. She …… repair it. (need, needs)
  3. My animals are not hungry. They ……… to feed. (don’t need/need not)
  4. She knows how to speak English. She …….. learn English. (need not/ needs not)
  5. His room is untidy. He …….. to clean it. (needs/need)
  6. Bhupendra …….. to work in school last year. (didn’t need/need not have)
  7. He …………… gone there last month. (need not have/ didn’t need to )
  8. Do you …….. learn computer for a job? ( need to/needs to/need)

Does he …….. meet his uncle?  

  • (needs to/need to/ need)

10. did he ……. Speak English before the interviewer? (need to/ needed to/need have)

The Semi-Modal Verb Need Read More

Should vs ought to vs must -Modal verbs

Should vs ought to vs must

Use of Should

‘Should’ is used to denote giving our asking for advice means suggestion:

You should start doing Yoga every day. He should be polite.
You should speak English while facing the interview. Being a teacher, you should update your knowledge to make your students wise than other students.
He feels hesitation. He should be outspoken. You shouldn’t be rude to your kids.
Being a good doctor, he should treat and behave properly with his patients. He shouldn’t allow her child to go out at night.
Being a good student, you should be polite and dedicated to your study. You shouldn’t take liquor in more quantity.
He should be punctual. Her sister should take medicine regularly.
Her mother shouldn’t cook spicy food, which is not suitable for her health at all. Should I talk to him and express the incident?
I should wait for a while. You should not argue with elders.  
He shouldn’t talk and drive. You should learn Spanish to get a handsome salary.

Should vs Ought to vs Must – ‘Should’ is used to denote Duty/obligation

He should attend the meeting.

He should tell the information.

He should reach on time.

One Promise should be kept.

He should tell his problem.

‘Should’ is also used past sense of shall that expresses Future in the past:

I told him that I should play chess.

Didn’t I mention you that I should narrate a story?

I told her that I should read a novel.

Note: Above sentences are mentioned used in indirect speech.

Direct speech: I said, “I shall not go with him there.”

Indirect speech: I said that I should not go with him.

My father said to me,” will you buy a new laptop,.”

My father asked me if I should buy a new laptop.

 Must

‘Must’ is used to express which is necessary or very important that happens in present or future (in the place of should):

If you want to reduce your fat, you must run every day. You must work hard in your study.  
You must attend the classes regularly. She is weak. She must take breakfast.
He must attend the conference. The Great Khali must prepare for competition.
You mustn’t tell a lie to me. She mustn’t dine out.
He mustn’t run in the school’s corridor. You mustn’t abuse your neighbours.
She mustn’t beat her child. You mustn’t lend him money. He won’t return you.
She mustn’t go to in-laws. You mustn’t take oily food.

Must’ is used to denote emphasizing an opinion:

I must say, it was a terrible experience of the zigzag tunnel. In my view, Society must be more secure. Otherwise, Robbers may rob the other houses.
I must say, you are really such a nice person; I have never met any person like you in my entire life before. I must admit, I didn’t concern him to be generous when I had met him first in Rohan’s wedding ceremony.
In my opinion, He must join the army. He must admit his mistake.
I would say he must prepare for a marathon. I would say she must prepare for an IAS competition.

 

‘Must’ is used to express what is stated or want to say, that is a good idea. You find another wants to give priority to doing the task:

You must visit your uncle’s home. You are good at sketching; you must join a designing course which is one of the best options to enhance your skills.
Let’s go to the theatre. We must watch Avenger; End game. It’s a worldwide famous movie. If you want to go abroad for further study, you must complete your higher study at Stanford University.

‘Must’ is used as a noun when something is very necessary:

It is a must to deposit money right now. This task is a must to complete at once.
This project is a must for us. Nothing is a must here. Do whatever you want to do.

Strong possibility: ((Should vs ought to vs must) 

It’s 8 o’clock; he must be in the class. He must be his father.
She must be sixteen. She must be pregnant.
He must be a cynic. He must be outspoken.
They must be French. She must be a reporter.
It must be a thermometer.  They must be detectives.
He has a BMW car. He must be rich. He must be an architect.

Progressive forms: (Should vs Ought to vs Must)

He must be joking. Raju must be running in the ground.
She must be taking lunch now. He must be attending the class in a computer centre.
He must be playing football. She must be making a speech at the conference. His father is not here. He must be playing a video game at home.

 

Ought to (Should vs Ought to vs Must)

‘Ought to’ is generally used for should and must. It is used for a strong feeling of moral duty or denoted to correct the actions.

You ought to serve your country from the bottom of your heart. You ought to obey your parents
You ought to love your wife. They ought not to beat juniors.
You ought to take care of your mother. We oughtn’t to jump the traffic light.
She ought to come to school on time. We ought to follow traffic rules.

Purpose: 

Drive carefully lest you should collide with other transport. Do study constantly lest you should fail in your schooling.
You are not allowed to leave the hotel lest you should be attacked. Go there on time lest you should miss the train.
Work with all your efforts lest you should lose your money on this project. Reach at assembly on time lest you should miss the prayer.

‘Should’ is also used to denote condition “in the sense of IF.”

‘Should’ you study in wee hours, you will get good marks in your exams. ‘Should’ you run every day, you will reduce your fat.
 
Exercise I:

Complete the sentences with the help of some listed modal verbs (Should vs ought to vs must) below:

 Can, Might, must, could, have to, should,

1.        He travelled up to 500 miles. He ………. be tired after a long journey. He ……… go to bed early at night.

2.        My friend doesn’t have an interest in watching movies at the theatre. If you convince him. He ………… join us.

3.        My friend has known this city for a long time. He …….. know these places.

4.        Don’t climb the mountain, you ……….. fell.

5.        She doesn’t know how to speak English. She ………. not explain to English man.

6.        If he goes with us, we ……… help him with money.

7.        Don’t be over smart; you…….. fail in solving the puzzle.

8.        Having finished his work, he ……….. not go outside late at night.

9.        You look powerful.  ………. you lift this box?

10.      He is brilliant. He ……… solve this puzzle in a few seconds.

11.      When I was young, I …….. walk for ten miles every day.

12.      When my brother was studying in the fifth standard. He …….. speak English fluently.

13.      We ……… do Yoga for our internal health.

14.      If he doesn’t study, he ……… also fail this year again.

15       . Teacher says to us that we ……….. obey the parents.

 
Exercise II:

Complete the sentence with the given hints (Should vs ought to vs must).

1.        ‘Should’ you ……….  (study)  five hours a day, you will get success in your competition.   (condition)

2.        You ………… love your kids.   (moral duty)

3.        Solve the sums carefully lest you ………. Make mistakes.   (purpose)

4.        She ………… look after her mother-in-law.  (moral duty)

5.        He must be ………(hide) the truth.

6.        She must ………. Studying now.

7.        We ……… follow the instructions of government policy due to the covid 19 virus.  (moral duty)

8.        We …………. tease the poor.    (moral duty)

9.        In my view, Indians ……… not go outside unnecessarily. Citizens …….. stay at home due to the coronavirus.

10.      You ……….. learn English. It will help you in your interview.   (advice)

Should vs ought to vs must -Modal verbs Read More

Use Of Have to & Had to

Have to & had to

To have + infinitive is used to indicate compulsion that is must do. It expresses obligation in the present, past, and future.

Sub + has to / have to/ had to/ will have to + m.v. + obj.

His brother has to go 25 kilometres away to do a job. I gotta go.
I have to get early morning every day. I don’t gotta learn English.
She has to take pulses one time in a meal. I don’t gotta go there. (Gotta- Informal English)

Note- (It is used in slang by native speakers.) here ‘gotta’ means ‘have to.’  

had to paint on the tower.

He will have to take non-vegetarian food in Saudi. That’s why he is going to change his plan.

Let’s see the conversation how to use have to & had to:

Rosy: My mother died of cancer.

Do you have to cook food on your own?

Yes, I have to cook food myself. No one is here besides me to cook. 

Don’t you have your sister?

Yes, I have two sisters besides me, but both are very little. Both sisters are studying in primary school.

Did you have to cook food in childhood?

Not at an early age, my father often had to prepare a meal for us. When I grew up, I learnt how to prepare tea, and after a few years, I had to learn how to cook food as well. I started with peeling and chopping vegetables, so thus I helped my father, and then I learnt how to knead the dough and make chapatti. So thus, I also started cooking food.

Does your father not help you with cooking?

He works, and he has to cover a long distance to reach the office. And he comes late from the office. Therefore, I serve the food to my family.

Will you have to marry?

Well, I will have to marry soon. But I have got some plans that I have to/will have to complete them before getting married.

Note: ‘have got to’ used for strong obligation in the present. But we can’t use ‘had got to or will have got to for past and future.

E.g., I have got to get very early in the morning.

 Exercise: (Have to & had to)

Complete the sentences with (Modals)- “has to/ have to & had to or will have to.”

I am really sorry. I couldn’t come to you. Actually I …had… to go somewhere else.

  1. They ……… to get early in the morning.
  2. I …….. to go to Jaipur yesterday.
  3. Her mother won’t be home. He …….. to cook himself tomorrow.
  4. They ………. to face the interview next month.
  5. I ………. to go to relatives last week.
  6. I …….. to tell a lie with my friends last Sunday.

………. You ……… 

  1. to complete your given task yesterday?
  2. When ………. You ……. to reach there tomorrow?

10. Why don’t you ……. to complete your classwork?

11. I ……… to read a newspaper.

12. My examinations are very close. I ………. to study.

13. Her boss was misbehaving, that’s why She ……….. to leave the job.

14. He couldn’t come yesterday because he ……..to go home soon.

15. My brother is very talented, but he ……. to face ragging in college yesterday.

Use Of Have to & Had to Read More

‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs) – Use of Auxiliary Verbs

‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs)

Permission: to give or take permission;

 May I come inside the cabin? May I write?
Yes, you may come in. May I transfer money by phone pe? 
May I go to the loo? May I use your washroom?
May I help you? May l stay with you at night?
May I join them? No, you may not.

Note:May’ is a very formal style in comparison to ‘Can.’ It is frequently used in writing and speaking. 

‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs) are auxiliary verbs are used to express Possibility:

She may attend the meeting today. It may snow today in Shimla.
He may/might come to meet us. She may get late for the party.
They may help us in our financial condition. He may buy a new car this year.
He may pass the exams. It may be true what was spoken by her.

Optative sentences :

‘May’ is used to express wish/pray/curse.

May God bless you! May you get success in life!
May your grandmother live long! May your father get well soon!
May you live long! May you get married to a beautiful girl!
May your book publish soon! May You get selected in SSC CGL!

Might – past of may (‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs)

Might is the past of may that is used in indirect speech:

She said that he might win the race. He said that Rohit might talk to me.

 

Remote possibility (less possibility)

‘Might’ is used to express remote possibility in the place of ‘May’.

It might hail. She might climb the mountain.
He got late from coaching. He might come to the ground to play football. Yesterday we fought together that’s why she might tell the matter.
He told me that he might come today. Her father is in the hospital. She might attend the meeting.
She might go for a picnic because her exams are near. He hasn’t studied yet. He might pass the exams.

Purpose:  

“So that and in order” that are used to express purpose.

She studies a lot so that she may pass the exams. He worked hard so that he might earn money a lot.
My father fixed the deposit in LIC so that he might double the money. The birds come back around march, so that the month of April may be an excellent time to see nature for them to fulfil their requirements.
I will send you the books so that you may get them on time. I have made some stuff parathas so that we may take them on the way.
I am learning English in order that I may get a good job. I have done Post Graduation so that I may get admission in PH.D

‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs) are used as Progressive form:

He may be coming to Delhi to meet his friend. We may be getting late for our conference.
She might be doing yoga at the moment. She was tired. She might be sleeping now.
It may be raining there right now. She might be working in his company now.   (Possibly working now)
The bus might be coming to Jaipur from Delhi now. It’s too late to go to school. She might be playing badminton in school.
They might be running at this time. It may be raining in Mumbai.
Exercise:

Fill in the blanks with the suitable ‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs) or auxiliary verbs

  1. ……. I come inside the cabin? (may/might)
  2. ……. I use your washroom? (may/might)
  3. She said that he …… win the race.(may/might)
  4. ……you get well soon! (may/might)
  5. …..you get married to a beautiful girl!(may/might)
  6. It’s raining heavily. He ….. come. (may/might)
  7. He got late from coaching. He ………come to the ground to play football.(may/might)
  8. He told me that he……..come today. (may/might)
  9. Her father is in the hospital. She …… attend the meeting.(may/might)

10. He works hard so that he ……. earn money a lot. (may/might)

11. My father has deposited money in LIC so that he ……. double the money. (may/might)

12. I was learning English in order that I ….get a good job. (may/might)

13. He ………. to Delhi to meet his friend. (May be going /may be go)

14. It’s too late to go to the park. She ……. be playing badminton in school. (may/might)

15. I will send you the books so that you ……. 

get them on time.(May/might) 

‘May and might’ (Modal Verbs) – Use of Auxiliary Verbs Read More

Could (Modal Verb) – Use of Could

Could (Modal Verb)

‘Could’ (modal verb) is used to ask questions politely,

Could you help me? Could you suggest me regarding my career?
Could you take me to the principal right now? Could I use your laptop for a while?
Could you help me in solving the sums? Could I see your books which are kept on the table?
Could you go with me there? Could I take your food?
Could you bring my mobile from there? Could you solve this sum for me?

Asking something politely we use also could (Modal verb)

Could I have your laptop? Could I have your bag?
Could I have your comb? Could I have your gold chain?
Could I have your smartphone? Could I have your car’s key?
Could I have your diary? Could I have your watch?

Could (Modal Verb) is used in Indirect speech

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
She said,’ I can beat him. She said that she could beat him.
He said to me,’ they can help the poor. He told me that they could help the poor.
Rahul said to him,’ you can win the match. Rahul told him that he could win the match.

‘Could’ is used in the past. It is past of can. It is used to express past abilities that existed in past time

In my childhood, I could beat him. Last year, she could lend money.
In my adolescence, I could run fast. She could argue with him yesterday night.
I could read anything on mobile and book without spectacles till last year. He couldn’t attend the meeting today.
I couldn’t make it on time yesterday night. I could not complete my project at night.  
She couldn’t help him when he borrowed money. My brother could solve the Sudoku puzzle at the age of six.

 

Could (Modal verb) express possibility or uncertainty:

Could (possibility) is used to express the unreal situation in the present. Examples

You could come on time if you got up early. You could pass the exams. But you were sick.
Who is he with, Eva? He could be her husband. (Possibly he is) What’s her age?  She could be eighteen. (Possibly she is)
If I had money, I could buy a Ferrari car.   (possibility) If she came to me, I could propose to her.    (Possibility)
If he had time, he could go to his uncle’s home.  (possibility) If you got that job, you could earn a lot there.
If she wanted to go abroad, she could get a loan. If your brother joined Army, he couldn’t disappoint your father.
If Raju joined Delhi Police, he could take the bribe. If he asked for money, he could deposit it into the hospital.

When a person has a desire to do something

I wish I could beat him. I wish I could play the guitar.
I wish I could sing better. I wish I could get selected in government.
I wish I could fly in the sky. I wish I could learn the German language.
I wish I could make you understand. I wish I could be a billionaire

Note: “would” is also used in the place of “could.”

Exercise : 

 Choose suitable auxiliary verbs:

 ……….. you help me in solving the sums? (can/could)

 ………  you go with me there for a while? (can/could)

 ………. I have your ink pen?   (could/can)

 …………. I have his car?   (could/can)

He says that they ……. beat me.   (can/could)

My sister said that he ……… not pass the examination.    (can/could)

 I …….. drive and read properly last year.   (can/could)

I ……… beat him in the seventh standard.   (can/could)

He has got his salary today. He ….. make the payment now.    (can/could)

My grandfather …….. do yoga perfectly at a young age.   (can/could)

She …….. play the piano at the age of eight.   (can/could)

She ……. Speak the truth when I asked her. (can/could)

She……… hide the truth if someone asks.   (can/could)

Who is with this beautiful lady? He …….. be her husband.     (can/could)

He …….. be selected in the interview if he reached on time.    (can/could)

If he had money, he …….. buy a Ferrari car.   (can/could)

If you wanted to meet him, you …… phone him.  (can/could)

I wish, I …….. buy a Ferrari car.     (can/would)

If you had a car, you ……. Reach there before him. (can/could)

She wishes she ……… help the poor.   (can/could)

Could (Modal Verb) – Use of Could Read More